Curfew was imposed Thursday in Leh town and the army staged a flag march following clashes between Muslims and Buddhists triggered by reports of alleged desecration of the Quran at a mosque in Kargil.

Thirty-one people have been arrested so far in connection with the clashes, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range) K Rajendra told PTI over phone from the Ladakhi capital.

Kumar said curfew has been imposed and the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police were deployed as a precautionary measure.

A defence spokesman said the civil administration Thursday sought army assistance in maintaining law and order in Leh following which army was rushed immediately to conduct a flag march in the afternoon.

In Kargil town, two houses belonging to one Dr Mohammed Ramzan was torched and three vehicles damaged by angry mobs.

Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) Basharat Ahmad Dhar who is camping in Leh said the situation was under control.

Clashes erupted between Muslims and Buddhists at Bodh Kharboo in Kargil area on Monday after some unidentified persons allegedly tore off pages of the holy book in a mosque there.

Civil administration officials accompanied by community elders went round the town and appealed to the people to maintain peace and amity.